Highlights to the left of me, shampoo and cut to my right, and All Blacks with intent stuck in the middle again

Is Steve Hansen getting the best out of a world-class talent like Beauden Barrett? asks Donal Lenihan

Wed, 05 Jul, 2017 - 01:00

A rugby player, coach and manager during a glittering career with Munster, Ireland and the Lions and now a definitive voice in Irish rugby analysis and commentary.

The beauty of this country is stunning, the people are warm, friendly and extremely hospitable — at least until they enter the stadium and don their rugby blinkers — but on occasions, you feel as if you have been transported back in time in New Zealand.

When you see the magnificent programme being put together to entice the rugby authorities around the globe to grant Ireland the staging of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, you have to wonder, purely in terms of facilities, infrastructure and technical support, how New Zealand were ever awarded the 2011 event, enjoyable and all as it was.